Urgent need to correct cop-population ratio, says assistant minister

MIRI: The population in the state’s urban areas keeps on outgrowing the existing police force by a vast margin.

There is an urgent need to correct this perennial mismatch to put a lid on crime.

Assistant Communications Minister Datuk Lee Kim Shin has asked the Home Ministry to correct this fast, citing the example of Kuala Baram district where more than 200,000 people are being watched over by a small team from only one police pondok (beat base).

Lee has written an official letter to Home Minister Datuk Seri Zahid Hamidi to look into this matter swiftly, pointing out that in some urban areas, the number of policemen had remained static for far too long.

The Senadin assemblyman told The Star yesterday that Zahid had requested the management in Bukit Aman to look into the matter fast, and that it would be sending a team here soon.

“There is a need to beef up police presence, and for a permanent base in Kuala Baram district because the number of residential property, commercial and industrial premises has shot up considerably.

“In order for us to grow as a safe city, the presence of policemen must be upgraded regularly to keep up with the population growth, which is surging very fast every year,” he said.

He hoped that Bukit Aman, the Home Minister and Putrajaya would always keep themselves in the
know concerning the security
situation in urban areas in the state and respond accordingly to overcome whatever weaknesses and shortcomings.